I need a quick destressing trick please!

[DreamingOfTropicalForests]

Stressed about work (I run the business) so I haven't been sleeping well/much, Monday mornings are always full on, people are pulling me in every direction even when I explain I'm not the best person to answer certain questions, clients want to 'pick my brain' and it's all getting too much today. I'm scraping the barrel to find an extra ounce of patience before I scream at someone.

I need a quick trick to calm down a little. I've sat in the garden for a few minutes (no time to go out for a walk) and all I could do was worry about the time I was 'wasting' away from my computer.

Can anyone share any words of wisdom please? I can't lose it because I need to lead by example. Thank you.

lie down with your bottom against a wall. ..legs going up the wall. 15 mins

or 5 mins if you are really pushed

Look up puffer fish breathing on youtube. Works for the DC but also for me.

Gentle classical music - but more for when you are working on the computer than when talking to people

Cup of tea

• 5: Acknowledge FIVE things you see around you. It could be a pen, a spot on the ceiling, anything in your surroundings.
• 4: Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch around you. ...
• 3: Acknowledge THREE things you hear. ...
• 2: Acknowledge TWO things you can smell. ...
• 1: Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste.

This is a grounding exercise that works well.

This
gph.is/1LJGZuC

All the above sound good.
Breathe in through your nose, bringing the breath into your tummy button (so your abdomen expands) saying ‘reeeee’
Then out through your mouth ‘lax’
It’s quick and feels lovely.

Also affirmations like ‘I am learning to let go of worry’ ‘i am learning to let go of stress’ ‘I am relaxing my whole body’.

deep breathing for five minutes in through your nose till you feel your lungs expanding slowly out through you mouth till you feel your lungs deflating works for me

I use the Headspace app, as well as longer regular sessions they have three minute emergency podcasts for times of panic or feeling overwhelmed.

Or something I saw on a sign once:

Breathe in while you read this line
Breathe out while you read this line

Hold your breath for 30 seconds under cold water. It shocks your body into calming down.

Thank you so very much! I did the lying down on the floor with my legs up against the wall and the holding my breath for 30 seconds (couldn't for that long but nearly) under cold water. Not sure which one helped but I'm feeling better. Thank you. I think it's mostly the pressure to keep smiling and keep the team motivated all day every day, even when I just want to scream and stomp away, that I find draining atm. You're all lovely. Thank you again.

Another vote for Headspace. They have some sessions that only last 3 mins, the more you practice the better you get at it.

There are lots of good tips in this book too

I had a breakthrough on Friday when I realised that by following a complex recipe I hadn't thought about a client for 30mins

I like standing, shaking my hands out in front of me and saying over and over again ... 'this is not an emergency, this is not an emergency.' Helps with perspective

Run a sinkful of the coldest water you can, plunge your forearms in. Does something to your nervous system to slow things down to preserve body heat or something (I don't know the science exactly!). Always works.

If you can't fill the sink (work sink for example with no plug) running cold water over the forearms works too.

@DreamingOfTropicalForests. glad the legs against the wall helped. ...its better if done regularly ( like many things!)
also I like to have a jigsaw on the go.,its like an active meditation